What ever you do don't use cheap headsets for voice input other wise you
might as well not bother. The headset microphone is probably the most
important bit of voice input along with system memory and processor speed.
In my experience I have found that some cheaper microphones often don't work
as well with ladies voices as with the do with men's.
Personally I prefer and use an emKAY VR3193 Microphone
Regards
Graham Rice, Technician
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1W 7NH
** The Central London Access Centre **
Tel: +44 020 7915 5428
Fax: +44 020 7911 5162
[log in to unmask]
http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
This e-mail and its attachments are intended for the above named only and
may be confidential. If they have come to you in error you must not copy or
show them to anyone, nor should you take any action based on them, other
than to notify the error by replying to the sender.
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Hodgson
Sent: 30 September 2004 11:15
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: using dictation software in public spaces
Lynnette,
I raised this issue on the Tech-Dis forum and received a couple of
responses which are copied below. However, I'd like to point out that in
my last message I said that we were going to run a pilot of this
software on a selection of standalone machines. This has now changed,
after an offer to help us install the software on our network from a
chap at Sonant Software, we're now going for the plunge and installing
it University wide. We have been assured that speech recognition
profiles will be able to be saved into users roaming profile network
areas. How easy this will be to setup, we're yet to find out!
Computers will be installed into separate booths (or reading rooms
perhaps) where possible for speech recognition use and users will be
expected to provide their own microphone/headphone sets. I'm assuming
we'll be able to sell cheap sets from a suitable retail location on
campus.
The majority of our computers are available in the library in an open
area. This area will still be subject to the same noise restrictions.
Hope this helps
John
>>>>>>>
Gwil / Logan,
Many thanks for this information. It seems that both of you have
experienced similar issues in the same areas. Alarm bells are ringing
now and I'm pretty sure we won't be going for a network installation.
At
least not straight away.
I think I'll try out what you've both suggested and setup some
standalone machines in separate booths. I'll see how it goes and if it
proves popular then I'll see if I can link these to their University
accounts rather than installing it on the network as a whole.
Cheers again
John
>>> [log in to unmask] 17/08/04 22:49:59 >>>
Hi John,
As both a prior student who is blind and now an assistive technology
tutor I
have found the following issues with Dragon in a network environment
a. The user(voice) files have often proved to be difficult to store
and
retrieve on some networks.
b. The issue of user recognition is a huge problem, as in a typical
computer suite there is ongoing noise associated with the coming and
going
of other students creating enough background noise to, in some cases,
make
use of the software impossible...this might be addressed by the
specialised
computers with dragon loaded to them being isolated to reduce the
background noise. This situation is not perfect as many may realise
due to
the isolation of the student also, but to ensure their access some
flexibility on their part is needed.
This solution also addresses another issue which I have encountered,
in
which non disabled students are not keen on computer users talking too
much
in a computer suite.
Clearly the possible benefits outweigh the possible issues you may
encounter
but I am aware that Novell has some issues with other assistive
technology
packages(JFW being one) and I am certain that while this project will
be fun
it will also provide you with some restless days!!
Good luck and remember to smile , it keeps people thinking that you
know
something they don't!
Best Regards,
Logan
Logan McMullen
CME Services
+64 6 870 4498
+64 27 6439188
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
We tried this but
A the version we had did not easily allow us to store users profiles
on
the network ( you will probably know about the produc tmatrix at the
scansoft website)
B users don't like other users talking to machines in a typing pool
like
environment
C accuracy was affected with users coming in and out making noise etc
etc
I thnk that there should be a number of pcs in booths in places like
language labs or multimedia rooms that could have this software
installed successfully
In this way disabled users could access it and it may also be useful
to
language students as well ( ie other language versions of Dragon / Via
Voice etc)
Best wishes
Gwil
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Hodgson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 10:29 PM
Subject: Dragon Naturally Speaking
> Hi all
>
> Appals for cross posting
>
> We were thinking of releasing Dragon Naturally Speaking over our
> network here at the University and was wondering if anyone has had
any
> experience of this and whether or not there are any issues or if
there
> is anything we should watch out for.
>
> Our workstations are Windows XP and software is rolled out via
Novell
> Application Launcher.
>
> Cheers
>
> John
>>> [log in to unmask] 27/09/04 15:06:05 >>>
I wonder if anyone can give me the benefit of their experience with
this one?
We are looking at installing Dragon Naturally Speaking or similar
voice activated software in our public access computers, for the benefit
of students who may have RSI related problems, dyslexia, or any other
conditions where this facility would be useful.
Clearly we are concerned that students will have as much privacy as
possible, and be able to keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid
inconveniencing others who will be using PCs in the same room.; space,
as always, is at a premium, and it would be difficult to find a separate
room in which to install this equipment.
Has anyone encountered similar diffculties and can recommend any
measures we could take? Are there , for example, some acoustic screens
or baffles that you know of that we could install?
Any helpful suggestions gratefully received!
Lynnette Easterbrook
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________
|
